Firearm Handguard Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present embodiments disclose a handguard for a roller-delayed firearm. The handguard includes a rail extending between a first end and a second end defining a length of a handguard and a tubular portion extending at least partially along the length of the roller delayed firearm. The tubular portion is configured to releasably engage with a male mating portion of a roller-delayed firearm. A clamp selectively secures the female mating portion of the tubular portion to the male mating portion of the receiver.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments relate to firearms, and more specifically to firearms having a modular handguard.

BACKGROUND

Firearms often include handguards attached to the front of the firearm to aid in the grip of the weapon. The handguard protects the user from contacting the barrel, which may become hot during periods of repeated firing. The handguard may also function as an attachment point for various accessories such as optics, sights, supports, light sources, and auxiliary weapons.

The Heckler & Koch (HK) roller-delayed firearms platforms are operated with a roller-delayed bolt. These include the HK MP5, MP5SD, 33, 33k, 51, 51k, 53, 53k, 93, 93k, 91, 91k, G3, G3k and numerous variants. These firearms platforms are used worldwide by numerous militaries, law enforcement, intelligence, and security organizations as well as firearm enthusiasts. The design includes a permanently-fixed cocking tube, which prohibits modification of the sights, rail, barrel, and the handguard itself. On the contrary, rifles such as the AR-15 and AR-10 often include releasably engaged handguards; however, these handguards are unable to be used with the HK roller delayed firearms due to the configurational differences between the firearms. Namely, the HK roller delayed firearms include a cocking tube and charging handle components located above the handguard, requiring these components to fit within the upper portion of the handguard.

In operation, the HK roller-delayed firearms include a bolt rigidly engaged with the barrel trunnion. The barrel trunnion is a cylindrical component welded to the receiver in which the barrel is pinned. The two-part bolt consists of a bolt head with rollers and a bolt carrier. The heavier bolt carrier lies up against the bolt head when the weapon is ready to fire. Inclined planes on the front locking piece lie between the rollers and force them out into recesses in the barrel trunnion.

Aftermarket handguards currently available utilize bolts to affix the handguard to the firearm via the permanently fixed cocking tube. This requires a significant amount of time and proper tools for replacement which is unrealistic in variable combat and tactical settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present embodiments disclose a handguard for a roller-delayed firearm. The handguard includes a rail extending between a first end and a second end defining a length of a handguard and a tubular portion extending at least partially along the length of the roller-delayed firearm. The tubular portion includes a female mating portion configured to releasably engage with a male mating portion on the receiver of a roller-delayed firearm. A clamp selectively secures the tubular portion to the male mating portion of the receiver.

In one aspect, the tubular portion is dimensioned to at least partially cover a barrel of the roller-delayed firearm. Alternatively, the tubular portion is dimensioned to at least partially cover a muzzle device of the roller-delayed firearm.

In one aspect, the clamp affects a first element and a second element to releasably engage the handguard to the receiver. The clamp may include a quick-disconnect mechanism comprised of a lever to adjust a first element and a second element to impart friction.

In one aspect, the upper handguard portion includes a slide to accommodate the cocking lever of the roller-delayed firearm.

In one aspect, the handguard allows for a user to interchange the otherwise fused components of an HK roller-delayed firearm allowing for the replacement of the barrel and sights of the firearm. Fused components can include the sights, the barrel, the receiver, and the rail in addition to the internal charging components of the HK roller-delayed firearm. The interchangeability allows for the HK roller-delayed firearm to be used in a broader array of scenarios wherein the firearm would normally limit the ability of the user to utilize existing or future components or accessories.

In one aspect, the continuously extends along a substantial length of the firearm to maximize the capacity for accessories to be mounted thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates side elevation view of an assembled firearm having a releasably engaged handguard, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the releasably engaged handguard, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a quick-disconnect mechanism in an open position, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the quick-disconnect mechanism in a closed position, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the receiver and a male mating portion thereof, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of an HK MP5 firearm, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to a system and method of use. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the system and method. Accordingly, the system components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second”, “top” and bottom”, and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.

Embodiments presented herein relate to a handguard for a roller-delayed firearm such as the Heckler and Koch (HK) roller-delayed firearms. FIG. 1 illustrates a firearm 100 having a grip frame 110 and connected to a receiver 190. The barrel 160 is connected to the receiver at a first end and may include a muzzle device on the second end. A handguard 150 includes a rail 155 formed on the upper surface thereof to facilitate the attachment of accessories. A magazine 120 provides a feeding mechanism for ammunition into the receiver 190. A stock 130 and stock adjustment components 140 are positioned at an opposing end of the muzzle device 170. In some embodiments, various sights can be positioned at the sight portion 180.

FIG. 2 illustrates the handguard 150 in an exemplary embodiment. The handguard 150 is formed generally as an elongated tubular portion 201 configured to encircle the barrel 160 (see FIG. 1) when in a mounted positioned. The tubular portion 201, an upper handguard portion 215, and a lower handguard portion 220. The upper handguard portion 215 is formed as the upper half of the handguard 150, while the lower handguard portion 220 is formed as the lower half of the handguard 150. A rail 155 extends between a forward end 205 and a rearward end 210. A slot 260 is formed through a surface of the upper handguard portion 215 to accommodate the cocking lever of the firearm. A lower rail 240 may be molded to the lower surface of the handguard 150. In some embodiments, a side rail 250 is molded to one or both opposing sides of the handguard to provide attachment means for accessories. A clamp 230 is positioned at the bottom surface of the lower handguard portion 220.

In some embodiments, the rail 155 extends at least along the top of the tubular portion 201. The rearward end 210 may extend past the back end 203 of the tubular portion 201 providing a continuous rail 155 along a partial length of the firearm 100.

In some embodiments, the tubular portion 201 of the handguard 150 includes a female mating portion 207 positioned at the back end 203. The female mating portion 207 releasably engages with the male mating portion 510 (see FIG. 5) during operation.

In some embodiments, the upper handguard portion 215 is suitably dimensioned to receive the cocking tube components of the firearm 100 such as a roller-delayed firearm (including the MP5, MP5SD, 33, 33k, 51, 51k, 53, 53k, 93, 93k, 91, 91k, G3, G3K and all similar roller-delayed clones).

In reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the clamp 230 includes a quick-disconnect mechanism which is used to releasably engage the handguard 150 with the receiver 190. A lever 300 is pivotally mounted via a pivot 310 to an end 305 of the lower handguard portion 220. The lever 300 moves a first element 320 and second element 330 apart when in an open position (as shown in FIG. 3). Once the lever 300 is pivoted toward the bottom surface of the handguard 150, the lever 300 is retained in a closed position (as shown in FIG. 4) which clamps the handguard 150 to the receiver 190 by moving the first element 320 and second element 330 such that suitable friction is imparted. The friction holds the handguard 150 to the receiver 190 during operation of the firearm 100.

In some embodiments, a fastener 232, such as one or more screws or locking pins, can be positioned through the first side 320 and second side 330 of the clamp 230 to impart friction between the handguard 150 and the receiver 190.

In some embodiments, the rail 155, lower rail 240, and side rail 250 are each configured to releasably engage with a plurality of accessories. Accessories can include optics, light sources, lasers, auxiliary weapons, tool attachments, grips, additional mounting surfaces, and other firearm accessories known in the arts.

In some embodiments, the muzzle device 170 can include a flash suppressor, muzzle break, flash hider, suppressor, or muzzle shroud which can be permanently affixed or releasably engaged by a threaded coupling or likewise means known in the arts.

In some embodiments, the handguard 150 is dimensioned to extend at least partially over the muzzle device 170, such as a suppressor, to protect the user from inadvertently contacting the muzzle device 170 or barrel when handling the firearm 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the receiver 190. A male mating portion 510 allows for the releasable engagement of the handguard. The male mating portion 510 has a perimeter dimensioned to be held in position by the female mating portion 207 (see FIG. 2) and the frictional force of the handguard clamp 230 or the quick-disconnect mechanism thereof.

In some embodiments, the male mating portion is configured as a circumferential ring having a complementary shape with respect to the tubular portion of the handguard.

In some embodiments, the handguard 150 replaces the need to weld or otherwise fuse the cocking tube and support, front post sight, triple frame, barrel hanger, and internal cocking tube components to the handguard in modern roller-delayed firearms. In such embodiments, the handguard 150 allows for the replacement of the otherwise welded or fused components for various utilities and scenarios.

In some embodiments, the rail is continuous along a substantial length of the firearm. Preferentially, the rail extends from the forward end 205 of the handguard and terminates above the grip frame 110 to maximize the capacity for mounting accessories thereto.

In some embodiments, the handguard 150 is constructed of metal or a sufficiently rigid polymer to ensure the structural integrity of the firearm during repeated use. Similarly, the rail 155 is constructed of a metal or a sufficiently rigid polymer. The rail 155 can be provided as a dovetail rail, a weaver rail, a Warsaw rail, a Picatinny rail, Keymod rail, and an M-LOK rail.

In some embodiments, the handguard 150 is provided as a single, two, three or four rail configurations.

FIG. 6 shows an HK MP5 submachine gun 600 having charging components 610 as known in the arts. One skilled in the arts will appreciate that charging components 610 are conserved during use of the handguard as described herein.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims. 

1. A handguard for a roller-delayed firearm, the handguard comprising: a rail extending between a first end and a second end defining a length of a handguard, the handguard including a tubular portion extending at least partially along the length of the roller-delayed firearm, the tubular portion including a female mating portion configured to releasably engage with a male portion of a roller-delayed firearm; and a clamp to selectively secure the tubular portion to the mating portion.
 2. The handguard of claim 1, wherein the tubular portion is dimensioned to at least partially cover a barrel of the roller-delayed firearm.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The handguard of claim 1, wherein the clamp affects a first element and a second element each positioned on the tubular portion to releasably engage the handguard to the receiver.
 5. The handguard of claim 4, wherein the clamp includes a quick-disconnect mechanism comprised of a lever pivotally engaged with the tubular portion and configured to adjust a first element and a second element to impart friction.
 6. The handguard of claim 1, wherein the upper handguard portion includes a slide to accommodate the cocking lever of the roller-delayed firearm
 7. The handguard of claim 1, further comprising a lower rail and a side rail.
 8. A handguard for a roller-delayed firearm, the handguard comprising: a handguard having a tubular portion, the tubular portion including an upper handguard portion dimensioned to receive the charging components of a roller-delayed firearm, the tubular portion including a lower handguard portion at least partially covering a barrel, the upper handguard portion including a slide to accommodate the cocking lever of the roller-delayed firearm; a clamp positioned on the lower handguard portion, the clamp configured to frictionally engage with a receiver of the roller-delayed firearm; and a rail continuously extending between a forward end and a rearward end of the handguard.
 9. The handguard of claim 8, wherein the tubular portion of the handguard includes a female mating portion to releasably engage with a male mating portion of the receiver.
 10. The handguard of claim 9, wherein the clamp affects a first element and a second element to releasably engage the handguard to the receiver.
 11. The handguard of claim 10, wherein the clamp includes a quick-disconnect mechanism comprised of a lever pivotally engaged with the configured to adjust a first element and a second element to impart friction.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The handguard of claim 8, further comprising a lower rail and a side rail.
 14. A handguard for a roller-delayed firearm, the handguard comprising: a handguard having a tubular portion, the tubular portion including an upper handguard portion dimensioned to receive the charging components of a roller-delayed firearm, the tubular portion including a lower handguard portion at least partially covering a barrel to sufficiently prevent contact with the barrel, the upper handguard portion including a slide to accommodate the cocking lever of the roller-delayed firearm; a lever configured as a quick disconnect mechanism, the lever positioned on the lower handguard portion, the lever configured to affect a clamp to frictionally engage with a receiver of the roller-delayed firearm; and a rail continuously extending between a forward end and a rearward end of the handguard.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The handguard of claim 14, wherein the lever operates in a closed position by engaging a locking pin, the lever in the closed position resting flush with a bottom surface of the handguard.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The handguard of claim 14, further comprising a lower rail and a side rail.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The handguard of claim 14, wherein the roller-delayed firearm is an MP5 submachine gun.
 21. The handguard of claim 1, wherein the rail extends from the forward end of the handguard and terminates above a grip frame of the firearm.
 22. The handguard of claim 8, wherein the rail extends from the forward end of the handguard and terminates above a grip frame of the firearm. 